TSA�s abusive overdesignation of documents as �Sensitive Security
Information� (SSI) is an endless source of frustration to 9/11 family
members determined to learn the truth about how their loved ones died,
to watchdog organizations determined to hold our government
accountable, and to distinguished jurists determined to mete out
justice....Fortunately, a solution is at hand. Thanks to the leadership of Reps.
Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) and Martin Sabo (D-Minn.), the U.S. House included
bipartisan language in Section 525 of the Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill that would end TSA�s abuses without preventing the
agency from keeping legitimate secrets. Section 525 would:

�Require the release of SSI that is more than three years old and not
currently being used to protect the transportation system, unless TSA
demonstrates a compelling reason why the release would present a risk
of harm to the nation;

�Standardize and justify TSA practices for labeling documents as SSI, and

�Permit a judge overseeing legal proceedings to allow controlled access
to SSI in the proceedings, unless TSA demonstrates a compelling reason
why the release would present a risk of harm to the nation.

However, the Senate version of the bill would preserve the status quo.
So citizens who want to make America safer and hold our government
accountable should call their senators and representatives and tell
them to demand inclusion of the House�s Section 525 language in the
final, unified version of the bill (H.R. 5441).

As Sullivan wrote, the House of Representatives has worked in a bi-partisan way to craft
language that would keep SSI from being an unaccountable secrecy stamp,
while accomodating the need for secrecy when it is necessary and
prudent. However, the Senate language, likely shaped by DHS and TSA,
according to a well-informed source working on the issue, would be a slap in the face to 9/11 victim families and allow the continued use of excessive secrecy to minimize accountability at TSA.

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Founded in 1981, the Project On Government Oversight is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that champions good government reforms. POGO’s investigations into corruption, misconduct, and conflicts of interest achieve a more effective, accountable, open, and ethical federal government.